Town striker Andy Booth has admitted that he would love to be lining up against Leeds United this weekend.

The 34-year old is currently on the road to recovery after a back operation and made a visit to the Galpharm Stadium earlier today to sign some limited edition Mitre football boots for an upcoming Yorkshire Building Society promotion. htafc.com caught up with 'Boothy' at the signing session and he told us that he is sad to miss this weekend's derby clash at Elland Road.

"I'll be going over to Elland Road this weekend," Boothy explained. "These are the games you want to be playing in and I'm a bit disappointed that I'll be watching it rather than playing in it."

Booth has been away from the Storthes Hall training complex for a fortnight following the procedure to correct a protruding disk in his back, in which time manager Stan Ternent has left the Club.

"I was very surprised by it all - I think it was about 3 or 4pm on the Tuesday that I found out that Stan had gone! After winning the previous Saturday you don't expect the manager to leave, but that's football."

Now under the supervision of Academy physiotherapist Dave Buckby, who has stepped into the void left by Ian Liversedge's departure, Andy explained that his recovery in currently on schedule.

"It's going alright so far. It's two weeks tomorrow since my operation and I'm going to be stepping up my rehab in the next few weeks. Up until now, it's been all about bed rest and going for short walks but I'm allowed to drive again now, so I'll be getting back up to the training ground.

"There is no point in rushing things. I'm going to have to take it easy for the next six weeks, doing a bit of swimming and cycling and a little gym work. There's not a lot more I can do before that point.

"Realistically, I've got to be aiming for after Christmas and the New Year. If I am playing again by the first or second week of January I'll be very pleased."

Town's number 23 is hoping that the team will be in a much higher league position upon his return to fitness.

"If you look at the table, we are still not that far away. Obviously we have a difficult game at Leeds on the horizon, but if we can go on a run we could be in the top ten within three weeks. It's still so close and there is a long way to go this season. Gerry and Graham Mitchell will be doing their best to get the results and I cannot see a reason why we can't be up there this season."

Get your ticket for Leeds this weekend by calling the Galpharm Ticket Office on 0870 44 44 552!